This weekend the clocks go back and we all realise that summer is over. We can enjoy an extra hour and start looking forward to Hallowe’en, fireworks, and dare I say it, Christmas. However, the sudden change to dark evenings makes for a very dangerous time on the roads.

During the week, casualty rates peak between 5pm-6pm for adults, and 3.30pm-4.30pm for children. There is another peak in the morning, 8-9am, but the afternoon peak is higher for all ages. These times coincide with the morning and evening rush hours and school runs, which are already dangerous due to the volume of traffic, and even more so in the winter months when the evening journeys are made in the dark. Road casualty rates increase with the arrival of darker evenings and poor weather. For example, in 2013 there were more than twice as many pedestrian deaths in December as in June. It has been observed that each year from when the clocks go back in October, the peak in evening road casualties shifts so it falls in the hour after sunset. Research has also found that serious and fatal pedestrian collisions increase 10% in the four weeks after the clocks go back.

The Student Council have talked to the whole school about this and the importance of taking extra care on the roads at this time of year. They have urged pupils to wear something white, bright or reflective as our black uniform makes us very difficult to spot in the dark. School coats do have reflective strips in the design but adding a sticker or badge to bags will help improve visibility.

The student Council are also running a competition to design a sign or poster to promote road safety around school. Look out for the leaflet in their school bags this half term. Please encourage the girls to enter as this will help them to remember that roads and motor vehicles can be very dangerous. The closing date is 14th November and winners will be announced during Road Safety Week which begins on 17th November.

All of these stories serve to remind us that sadly, the Internet can endanger, as well as enrich, the lives of our children.

All ICT lessons this week have been given over specifically to e- safety and responding to the concerns about what we are hearing in the news. Older pupils are discussing the pitfalls of sexting and, indeed, posting any photo that might be compromising. This is particularly relevant given the Snapchat news which has underlined the fact that once your photos go online it is very hard to control what happens to them or who can see them. Other pupils are learning that it is not safe to assume that you know who you are talking to online and therefore you should never meet up with somebody you only know through online communications. Our new pupils are learning the SMART rules which still offer good sensible guidance on what to do or not to do online.

The girls are bringing home the latest edition of the Digital Parenting magazine to help reinforce these messages. Please take a look through the magazine; it is full of really useful advice.

Of course if you have any concerns about how to help your daughter or ward stay safe online please contact me at school.

Mrs Shorrocks

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